SAFETY CORNER is dedicated to providing you with tips for being safe in your personal life.

The holiday season is a wonderful time to visit family. Many Americans brave the crowded airports and highways traveling. If you go out of town during the holidays keep a few safety tips in mind:

• Turn your lights on. Before you leave your home unoccupied, plan on ways to make it appear you are still home. Invest in automatic timers for your lights to turn on in the evening and off during the day making it appear someone is at home. Contact your local post office to have your mail held until you return. Ask a friend or your neighbors to keep an eye out for anything suspicious. You may even ask a neighbor to park in your driveway.
• If you and your immediate family open presents at home, before you leave, do not leave the empty box for your new 72" flat screen TV at the curb. It advertises what gifts you received and exactly where they can be found in the house.
• If you are driving to your destination be sure to give an itinerary to someone back at home or at your intended destination. Provide them with your travel route including an approximate time of arrival and a contact number. If anything changes, be sure to notify that person and check in with them throughout the trip so they know you have arrived safely. If something were to happen, they would be able to provide important information to the proper authorities.

Being prepared can help rest your mind and ensure you enjoy your trip. Happy Holidays to you and yours!